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About this quote

What does it mean?
Conforming to others' habits dulls your critical thinking and moral sensitivity.
In plain terms
Doing what others do makes you stop thinking for yourself.
What can you take from it?
Avoid blind conformity to preserve your soul.

Where it applies

  • peer pressure
  • workplace
  • society

Putting it to work

  • questioning norms
  • cultivating individuality
  • reflecting on actions

Questions to consider

  • When did you conform just to fit in?
  • How do you protect your own values?

Another view

Sometimes following rules or customs is necessary for social cohesion.

More from Michel de Montaigne

  1. Rejoice in the things that are present; all else is beyond thee.

    Permalink to quote #112
  2. Of all our infirmities, the most savage is to despise our being.

    Permalink to quote #109
  3. So it is with minds. Unless you keep them busy with some definite subject that will bridle and control them, they throw themselves in disorder hither and yon i…

    Permalink to quote #113

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